The NFL received a ton of heat late this summer when Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was suspended a mere two games for allegedly knocking out his then-girlfriend Janay Palmer at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The consensus was that the ruling was a ridiculous punishment given that Cleveland browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended for the entire 2014 season for repeatedly failing drug tests for marijuana, making him violate the league’s policy on substance abuse.

But the league is currently revamping their drug testing policies, which may affect Gordon’s suspension, and they also reviewed their domestic abuse policy to enlist harsher punishments for the heinous crime.

They had to put that policy into swift action when Revel Casino security video of Rice knocking out Palmer with a vicious punch surfaced online courtesy of TMZ Sports today:

Obviously the NFL having already watched such clear-cut evidence and then suspending Rice for only two games would have been quite the slap on the wrist, and there was speculation that they had done just that.

The NFL could possibly re-open their case against Rice, as ProFootballTalk reported that if Rice lied and said he did not hit Palmer, there could be legal action pending:

Don’t be shocked if NFL reopens Rice case. If they didn’t see video and if he claimed there was no punch, they could take further action. — ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 8, 2014

From initial reports, it’s not looking good for the embattled Ravens star. Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel is reporting that the Ravens have no choice but to cut Rice, and it would be a huge burden for any other team to sign him:

Txt’ing with team officials around NFL, they predict Ravens will cut Ray Rice. “Have to.” Not sure anyone would pick him up.

So it appears that Rice is done in the NFL, squandering a promising career on the basis of one bad decision. But it’s hardly arguable that he didn’t deserve the punishment handed down after witnessing his violent act. The NFL is the one with egg on their face given the fact that they only suspended him for two games initially.

With the league trying now more than ever to crack down on domestic violence, they may have a lot of explaining to do because Rice’s true punishment came quite some time after a laughable one was handed down.

Both an avid NFL fan and analyst, I’ve been following professional football since the late 1980s. I’m also an avid fantasy football player with several league victories under my belt. Check out my NFL articles on TSM for the latest NFL news, highlights, predictions, and more.